JPH0745294B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer having a rotary cassette for feeding paper.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, for example, a copying machine as an image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes for each paper size. Regarding the transportation of the paper from these paper feed cassettes, the lateral transportation with the width direction of the paper as the transportation direction is preferable in terms of the transportation speed, rather than the vertical transportation with the longitudinal direction of the paper as the transportation direction. There is a type that feeds B4 and even A3 paper horizontally.

On the other hand, if even a large-sized sheet is laterally fed, the photosensitive drum, the conveying roller, the sheet conveying path, and the like in the copying machine become large, which leads to an increase in the size of the apparatus itself and an accompanying increase in cost. Thus, in general, for example B4 and
A3 size paper is fed vertically, and A4 size paper or less is fed horizontally.

However, in such a configuration, in a copying machine having a variable magnification function for reducing and enlarging, for example, for reduction copying, a paper cassette such as B5R and A4R for vertical feeding is required, while considering the transport speed. B5 for horizontal feed
A4 size paper cassette is also required. Therefore, when various paper cassettes are provided in this way, the copying machine must be made large, or a plurality of paper cassettes must be replaced according to the purpose, and the size and cost of the apparatus must be increased. Alternatively, the operation becomes complicated.

Therefore, as a means for avoiding such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open
As disclosed in JP-A-56-59245 and JP-A-59-123859, for example, B5 and B5R, and A4 and A4R
The paper cassette of (1) is used in common, and a configuration in which the cassette is rotated for horizontal and vertical paper feeding has been previously proposed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the above-described conventional configuration does not take into consideration the selection of the rotary cassette that contains the sheets to be used, the rotation of the selected rotary cassette, and the appropriate relationship with the operation keys that execute these. If this relationship is, for example, that the rotary cassette is selected by the cassette selection key and the rotary cassette is rotated by the cassette rotation key, not only the number of operation keys on the operation panel increases but also the number of keys This causes a problem that the operation becomes troublesome. Therefore, it has been desired to develop an appropriate configuration for solving such a problem.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes including a rotatable cassette that can be rotated between a vertical feed position for vertically feeding a sheet and a horizontal feed position for horizontally feeding the sheet. Is rotated by the cassette rotation motor, while the image forming operation is started by operating the image forming operation start key, and the cassette display means for displaying the selected cassette and the selected cassette are stored. Image forming means for displaying the size and the feeding direction of the sheet being fed, and the rotating cassette has a sheet displaying means showing a vertically feeding sheet and a sheet displaying means showing a horizontally feeding sheet in correspondence with each other. In the apparatus, a cassette switching key for inputting a cassette switching command, and a memory for storing the sheet feeding direction displayed on the sheet display means. A stage, and the longitudinal feed position sensor for detecting that the rotatable cassette is in the longitudinal feed position, and a lateral feed position sensor rotating cassette detects that the next feed position,
When the cassette switching key is operated, the cassette display means and the paper display means corresponding to each cassette are sequentially switched to operate, and the paper feed direction indicated by the paper display means selected by this switching operation is stored in the storage means. When the rotary cassette is selected by the cassette switching key and the image forming operation start key is operated, the rotary cassette feed position corresponding to the paper feed direction stored in the storage means and the vertical feed When the feed position of the rotary cassette detected by the position sensor or the lateral feed position sensor is different, a control means for controlling the cassette rotation motor is provided so that these feed positions coincide with each other.

[Work]

According to the above configuration, the control means sequentially operates the cassette display means and the paper display means corresponding to each cassette when the cassette switching key is operated,
The paper feed direction indicated by the paper display means selected by this switching operation is stored in the storage means. At the same time, when the rotary cassette is selected by the cassette switching key and the image forming operation start key is operated, the control means controls the feed position of the rotary cassette corresponding to the paper feed direction stored in the storage means. And the feed position of the rotary cassette detected by the vertical feed position sensor or the horizontal feed position sensor are different from each other, the cassette rotation motor is controlled so that these feed positions coincide with each other.

That is, when the cassette switching key is operated and, for example, a rotary cassette is selected by this operation, this rotary cassette is displayed as the selected cassette by the cassette display means. Along with this, for example, if this rotating cassette accommodates A4 sheets and is in the vertical feed position (A4 position),
The sheet display means displays A4. The paper feed direction (horizontal direction) indicated by this A4 display is stored by the storage means. When the cassette switching key is further operated from this state, the display of the paper display means becomes A4R, and the feeding direction of the paper stored in the storage means becomes the vertical direction. At this time, the rotary cassette does not rotate. When the image forming operation start key is operated, the feed position of the rotary cassette corresponding to the paper feed direction stored in the storage means, that is, the vertical feed position, and the vertical feed position sensor or the horizontal feed position sensor are used. Since the detected feed position of the rotary cassette, that is, the horizontal feed position, is different, the cassette rotation motor is controlled so that the rotary cassette is placed in the vertical feed position, and as a result, the rotary cassette is placed in the vertical feed position. .

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine as the image forming apparatus is
A desk section 38 is provided under the copying machine body 1, a sorter 19 is provided on the discharge side of the copying machine body 1, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 3 is provided on the copying machine body 1. There is. As shown in FIG. 3, the desk portion 38 is provided with a double-sided synthesis unit 21, a first rotary cassette unit 26, a second rotary cassette unit 27, and a third fixed cassette 25 in this order from the top. The first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27 are rotatable cassettes that can be rotated in the outer box 31.
Has 32.

The ADF 3 described above is provided on the platen glass 2 of the copying machine main body 1. On the document table 3a of the ADF 3, there are provided transport direction switches 5a and 5b for detecting the size of the document in the transport direction, and guides 4 for restricting both sides of the document in the width direction. The guide 4 is provided with a width direction switch (not shown) for detecting the size of the document in the width direction.

A plurality of reflection mirrors 6a ... and a lens 6b are provided below the original platen glass 2 to perform a basic operation of guiding the reflected light from the original document to the photosensitive drum 7, and to perform enlargement / reduction in addition to equal-magnification copying. An optical system 6 is arranged to enable variable magnification copying.

Around the photosensitive drum 7, a cleaner 8, a charge eliminating charger 9, a charging charger 10, a developing device 11 having toner for color copying, and a developing device 12 having black toner.
And a transfer charger is provided below the photosensitive drum 7.
A peeling charger 13 and a peeling charger 14 are provided. In the paper transport direction of the photoconductor drum 7, the transport belt 17 and the fixing device
18 are provided.

The paper that has passed through the fixing device 18 is basically discharged through the sorter 19 onto the paper discharge tray 19a. However, in the case of double-sided copying or synthetic copying, the double-sided synthetic unit 21 from the paper return path 20.
In the case of double-sided copying, in the case of double-sided copying, the first conveyance path 21a, the intermediate tray 21c, and the delivery roller 21d in the double-sided composition unit 21.
On the other hand, in the case of the composite copying, the paper is fed through the second carrying path 21b, the first carrying path 21a, the intermediate tray 21c and the sending roller 21d in the duplex copying unit 21. It is to be sent to the road 22. The end portion of the paper feed / transport path 22 reaches the paper top roller 15 near the photosensitive drum 7.

In addition, a plurality of paper feeding means are connected to the paper feeding transport path 22,
Paper is appropriately supplied from these paper supply means. Specifically, in order from the shortest paper transport path for transporting paper to the paper top roller 15 of the copying machine main body 1,
A manual feed section 30, a first fixed cassette 29 capable of storing 500 sheets, a second fixed cassette 28 capable of storing 250 sheets,
A double-sided synthesis unit 21, a first rotary cassette unit 26, a second rotary cassette unit 27, and a third fixed cassette 25 capable of accommodating 250 sheets are provided. Each of the above fixed cassettes 29, 28, 25 and each rotating cassette unit 26, 27
Is detachably attached to the copying machine.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27 include an outer box 31 and a rotary cassette 32 which is provided in the outer box 31 and accommodates a predetermined size of paper. Have The rotary cassette 32 has a rotary plate (not shown) for appropriately lifting the paper in the rotary cassette 32 in accordance with the decrease. The bottom wall of the outer box 31 is provided with a cassette support plate 33 whose center is separated from the bottom wall of the outer box 31. A long hole-shaped guide hole 33a is formed in the center of the cassette support plate 33 in the sheet feeding direction. At the center of the back surface of the rotating cassette 32, the guide hole 33
A guide shaft 34 arranged at a is provided so as to project downward.

Further, a screw shaft 35 is arranged in the outer box 31 in parallel with the paper feed surface orthogonal to the paper feed direction from the rotary cassette 32 and the bottom wall of the outer box 31. The screw shaft 35 is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) and is connected to the cassette rotation motor 36 at one end so that the screw shaft 35 can be rotated forward and backward. A nut member 37 that reciprocates in the axial direction by screwing the screw shaft 35 forward and backward is screwed into the screw shaft 35. As shown in FIG. 4 (b), one corner of the rotary cassette 32 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the nut member 37. Further, a light shielding plate 37a is formed below the nut member 37.

On the other hand, on the bottom wall of the outer box 31 below the vicinity of both ends of the screw shaft 35, a photointerrupter including a light emitting element and a light receiving element is formed, and the rotary cassette 32 is rotated and moved to a predetermined lateral feed position. Horizontal feed position sensor HP to detect the condition
₁ and a vertical feed position sensor HP ₂ for detecting a state of moving to the vertical feed position. Both of these position sensors HP ₁
When the rotary cassette 32 is moved to the predetermined horizontal feed position and vertical feed position by the HP ₂ , the light blocking plate 37a blocks the light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, so that the rotary cassette 32 is moved to the predetermined position. The movement of is detected. The horizontal and vertical feed position sensors HP ₁ and HP _{2 above} are
The invention is not limited to the photo interrupter, and may be, for example, a magnetic sensor or a contact switch.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first fixed cassette 29 and the second fixed cassette 28 of the copying machine main body 1 and the third fixed cassette 25 of the desk portion 38 are provided with pressing protrusions 61. The pressing protrusion 61 is provided at a position corresponding to the size of the paper stored in each fixed cassette 29, 28, 25. On the other hand, the cassette mounting portion 62 of the copying machine main body 1 and the desk portion 38 is provided with a plurality of sheet size switches 63 ... Which are turned on by the pressing protrusions 61. These paper size switches 63 ... Are provided in four pieces corresponding to A3, B4, A4 and B5, for example. Each paper size switch above
63 ... are connected to a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 51, which will be described later. With such a configuration, the microcomputer 51 determines the size and feeding direction of the paper stored in each fixed cassette 29, 28, 25. I can know. On the other hand, the size of the paper stored in the rotary cassettes 32 and 32 of the first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27 is input to the microcomputer 51 by the same configuration as described above or other input means. .

Further, the copying machine main body 1 is provided with an operation panel 40 shown in FIG. The operation panel 40 includes a copy button 41 as an image forming operation start key for instructing the start of a copy operation, a ten key 42 for setting the number of copies, a copy number display section 43, a cassette operation section 44, a magnification display section 45 and a magnification. A setting key 46 and the like are provided.

The cassette operating section 44, as shown in FIG.
A cassette switching key 47, paper size lamps PSL _{1 to} PSL ₇ as paper display means, a manual feed section 30, a first fixed cassette 29, a second fixed cassette 28, a first rotary cassette unit 26, a second rotary cassette unit 27. Further, it is provided with cassette select lamps CSL _{1 to} CSL ₆ as cassette display means for displaying the third fixed cassette 25 by numbers 1 to 6 in this order.

The above paper size lamps PSL _{1 to} PSL ₇ are A3 and A, respectively.
It is compatible with 4, A4R, B4, B5, B5R and special size paper. Then, for example, when A4 size paper is stored in the rotary cassette 32 of the first rotary cassette unit 26, the rotary cassette 32 corresponds to the paper size lamps PSL ₂ and PSL ₃ for displaying A4 and A4R, When the rotation cassette 32 of the second rotation cassette unit 27 stores B5 size paper, the rotation cassette 32 stores B5 and
Paper size lamps PSL ₅ and PSL ₆ that display B5R are supported. Also, cassette select lamp CSL ₁
~ CSL ₆ is turned on by operating the cassette switching key 47 to select each rotary cassette unit 26/27, each fixed cassette 25/28/29, or the manual feed section 30,
The paper size lamps PSL _{1 to} PSL ₇ are adapted to light up the ones corresponding to the paper stored in the selected cassette or the like.

Further, the copying machine has a microcomputer 51 as a control means and a storage means, as shown in FIG. The microcomputer 51 includes a motor driver circuit 52, horizontal and vertical feed position sensors HP ₁ and HP ₂ , paper size switch 63, document size detection device 54, operation panel key 55, operation panel display device 5.
6, the rotary cassette paper feed solenoid 57, the paper feed detection switch 8 and the like are connected.

The above motor driver circuit 52 and cassette rotation motor
Although not shown in FIG. 7, 36 is provided independently for each of the first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27.
The motor driver circuit 52 includes pull-up resistors R ₁ and R ₂ , NOT
Circuit 59, 60 is composed of the transistor Tr ₁ to Tr _4, the resistor R ₃ to R ₈ and the diode D ₁ to D ₄ as a surge absorber in accordance with the output of the microcomputer 51, the cassette rotating motor 36
It is designed to be driven in forward and reverse directions. The pull-up resistor R ₁ , the input side of the NOT circuit 59 and the base of the transistor Tr ₄ are connected to the output terminal CW of the microcomputer 51, and the NOT circuit 59
The output side of is connected to the base of the transistor Tr ₁ via a resistor R ₃ . Resistor R _{4 at} the base of transistor Tr ₁
One end of is connected to the base of transistor Tr ₂ and resistor R
One end of ₅ is connected, and the other end of these resistors R ₄ and R ₅ ,
Emitters of transistors Tr ₁ and Tr ₂ and diode D ₁
And the cathodes of D ₂ are connected to each other. A voltage of + 24V is applied to this connection point. Further, the collector of the transistor Tr ₁ and the anode of the diode D ₁ are connected to one of the input terminals of the cassette rotary motor 36,
The collector of the transistor Tr ₂ and the anode of the diode D ₂ are connected to the other of the input terminals of the cassette rotation motor 36. On the other hand, the pull-up resistor R ₂ , the input side of the NOT circuit 60 and the base of the transistor Tr ₃ are connected to the output terminal CCW of the microcomputer 51, and are connected to the base of the transistor Tr ₂ via the resistor R ₆ on the output side of the NOT circuit 60. It is connected. The base of Toranjita Tr ₃ one end of the resistor R ₇ is connected to the base of the transistor Tr ₄ is connected to one end of resistor R _8, and other ends of the resistors R ₇ and R _8, the transistors Tr ₃ and Tr ₄
And the anodes of the diodes D ₃ and D ₄ are connected to each other. A voltage of + 24V is applied to this connection point. Further, the collector of the transistor Tr ₃ and the cathode of the diode D ₃ are connected to one of the input terminals of the cassette rotation motor 36, and the collector of the transistor Tr ₄ and the cathode of the diode D ₄ are connected to the cassette rotation motor 36.
Connected to the other of the 36 input terminals.

In the motor driver circuit 52, the rotary cassette 32 of the first rotary cassette unit 26 or the second rotary cassette unit 27 is laterally fed when the output terminal CCW of the microcomputer 51 is at the high level (the output terminal CW remains Low). Position, for example A4 or B5, output terminal CW is High
Vertical feed position at level, eg A4R position or B5R
It is designed to rotate into position.

The document size detection device 54 includes conveyance direction switches 5a and 5b and a width direction switch provided on the document placing table 3a,
4-bit data is supplied to the input terminals OS _{1 to} OS ₄ of the microcomputer 51.

The operation panel key 55 is a copy button 41, a numeric keypad 42, and a magnification setting key 46 provided on the operation panel 40 of the copying machine body 1.
And a cassette switching key 47 and the like.

The operation panel display device 56 includes a copy number display section 43, a magnification display section 45, and a paper size lamp PSL ₁ provided on the operation panel 40.
~ PSL ₇ and cassette select lamps CSL ₁ ~ CSL ₆ etc.

The rotary cassette paper feeding solenoid 57 is for driving the feeding rollers 26a and 27a of the first and second rotary cassette units 26 and 27 to perform paper feeding.

The sheet detection switch 58 is arranged immediately before the paper top roller 15 shown in FIG. 2 and detects the arrival of the paper at the paper top roller 15.

When each key of the operation panel key 55 is operated, the microcomputer 51 performs control according to the operation. For example, when the rotary cassette 32 of the first rotary cassette unit 26 is rotated from the horizontal feed position to the vertical feed position based on the control shown in FIG. 1 described later, the output terminal CW is set to High.
Level and output terminal CCW is set to Low level, and when rotating from the vertical feed position to the horizontal feed position, output terminal CC
Set W to high level and output terminal CW to low level. Further, when the rotary cassette 32 moves to the vertical feed position and the vertical feed position sensor HP ₂ is turned on, that is, when the light of the photo interrupter is cut off, the output terminal CW is immediately set to the Low level to stop the cassette circuit motor 36, Similarly, when the rotary cassette 32 moves to the horizontal feed position and the horizontal feed position center HP ₁ turns on,
Immediately, the output terminal CCW is set to Low level to stop the cassette rotation motor 36.

Further, the microcomputer 51 is adapted to perform the control operation shown in FIG.

In the above configuration, first, the first rotary cassette unit
The rotating operation of the rotary cassette 32 will be described by taking the 26 rotary cassettes 32 as an example.

Now, assuming that, for example, A4 sheets are stored in the rotary cassette 32 of the first rotary cassette unit 26 and the rotary cassette 32 is arranged at the horizontal feed position (A4 position), the horizontal feed position sensor HP ₁ is turned on. ing. At this time, the nut member 37 arranged on the screw shaft 35 is assumed to be at P _{1 as} shown in FIG.

Here, the output terminal CW of the microcomputer 51 is High, the output terminal CCW
When transistor becomes low, transistor Tr ₁ and transistor Tr ₄ are turned on, current flows through + 24V power supply → transistor Tr ₁ → cassette rotation motor 36 → transistor Tr ₄ → ground path, and cassette rotation motor 36 forward and reverse (C Rotate in the direction). Therefore, the screw shaft 35 rotates in the C direction. As a result, the nut member 37 moves from P ₁ to P ₆ , the guide shaft 34 of the rotary cassette 32 slides while rotating in the guide hole 33a of the cassette support plate 33, and reciprocates in the order of Q _{1 to} Q _6. Moving. Then, when the nut member 37 reaches the vertical feed position sensor HP ₂ and the vertical feed position sensor HP ₂ is turned on, the cassette rotation motor 36 is stopped. In this state, the rotary cassette 32 is placed at a predetermined vertical feed position (A4R position).

In this state, the output terminal CCW of the microcomputer 51 is High,
When the output terminal CW becomes Low, the transistor Tr ₂ and the transistor Tr ₃ are turned on, and the current flows through the route of + 24V power supply → transistor Tr ₂ → cassette rotation motor 36 → transistor Tr ₃ → ground, and the cassette rotation motor 36 becomes Reverse rotation. As a result, the rotary cassette 32 moves from the above vertical feed position toward the horizontal feed position in the reverse process. Then, when the lateral feed position sensor HP ₁ is turned on, the cassette rotation motor 36 is stopped, and the rotary cassette 32 is arranged at a predetermined lateral feed position.

Next, the cassette selection lamps CSL ₁ to CSL _6, the control operation of the microcomputer 51 with respect to the paper size lamps PSL ₁ ~PSL ₇ and the rotatable cassette 32 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the manual feed section 30 has a special size, the first fixed cassette 29 has A4 (horizontal feed), the second fixed cassette 28 has B4 (longitudinal feed), and the first rotary cassette unit 26 rotates. It is assumed that the cassette 32 has A4 size sheets, the rotary cassette 32 of the second rotary cassette unit 27 has B5 size sheets, and the third fixed cassette 25 has A3 (longitudinal feed) sheets. Further, the paper size lamps PSL ₂ , PSL ₃ , PSL ₅ and PSL ₆ corresponding to the rotary cassette 32, when the cassette select lamp CSL is switched to the one corresponding to the rotary cassette 32, first, the rotary cassette 32 at that time.
The one that indicates the paper feed direction corresponding to the paper feed position is turned on. For example, when the cassette is switched to the rotary cassette 32 of the first rotary cassette unit 26 and the rotary cassette 32 is in the A4R position, it corresponds to A4R.
PSL ₃ is turned on.

First, it is determined whether the cassette switching key 47 is turned on (S1).
L ₁ to CSL cassette which has been displayed by ₆ determines whether the rotatable cassette 32 (S2), unless the rotatable cassette 32, a cassette selection lamps CSL ₁ to CSL ₆ and the paper size lamps PSL ₁ ~PSL _7, Is switched to the next cassette, that is, the cassette corresponding to the cassette selected by the current operation of the cassette switching key 47 (S3), and the process returns to the main routine. Further, in S2, if the cassette displayed until the cassette switching key 47 is turned on is the rotary cassette 32, whether the vertical and horizontal feed positions of the rotary cassette 32 do not correspond to the paper feed direction. It is determined whether or not it is in the rotation required state (S4).
Move to S3. If the rotation is not required in S4, the cassette select lamp CSL ₄ or CSL ₅ remains unchanged, and only the paper size lamps PSL ₂ , PSL ₃ , PSL ₅ or PSL ₆ are switched (S5), and the main routine returns. At this time, the rotation is required.

On the other hand, in S1 above, the cassette switching key 47 is OFF,
When the copy button 41 is OFF, the process returns to the main routine. Also, in S1, the cassette switching key 47 is turned off.
Then, when the copy button 41 is turned on, it is determined whether or not the selected cassette is the rotary cassette 32 (S7), and if it is not the rotary cassette 32, the process returns to the main routine to perform the copying operation. If the rotary cassette 32 is selected in S7, it is determined whether or not the rotation is necessary (S8). If the rotation cassette 32 is not necessary, the process returns to the main routine to perform the copying operation. If the rotation is required in S8, the rotary cassette 32 is rotated to a predetermined feeding position (S9), and then the process returns to the main routine to perform the copying operation.

Next, as a specific example of the above control operation, the first
The operation of switching the cassette from the state where the A4 sheet of the fixed cassette 29 is selected and feeding the B5R sheet from the rotary cassette 32 of the second rotary cassette unit 27 will be described.

When the first fixed cassette 29 is selected, the cassette select lamp CSL ₂ and the paper size lamp PSL ₂ (A4
(Display) is ON. Here, the cassette switching key 47
When turned ON, with the cassette selection lamps CSL ₃ (second fixed cassette 28) in place of the cassette selection lamps CSL ₂ is ON (hereinafter referred to as the cassette selection lamps CSL ₂ → CSL _3), the paper size lamps Paper size lamp PSL ₄ (B4 display) turns on instead of PSL ₂ (hereinafter, indicated as paper size lamp PSL ₂ → PSL ₄ ).

Further, when the cassette switching key 47 is turned on, the cassette select lamp CSL ₃ → CSL ₄ (first rotating cassette unit 2
6) and assuming that the rotary cassette 32 is in the vertical feed position, the paper size lamp PSL ₄ (B4 display) → PS
It becomes L ₃ (A4R display).

Further, when the cassette switching key 47 is turned on, the cassette select lamp CSL ₄ does not change and only the paper size lamp is PS.
L ₃ (A4R display) → PSL ₂ (A4 display). At this time, the rotary cassette 32 remains in the vertical feed position (A4R position),
The feed position conversion by rotation is not performed. That is, the rotation is required.

Further, when the cassette switching key 47 is turned on, the cassette select lamp CSL ₄ → CSL ₅ (second rotary cassette unit 2
7), and if the rotating cassette 32 is in the horizontal feed position, the paper size lamp PSL ₂ (A4 display) → PS
It becomes L ₅ (B5 display).

When the cassette switch key 47 is turned on, the cassette select lamp CSL ₅ does not change and only the paper size lamp is PS.
L ₅ (B5 display) → PSL ₆ (B5R display). At this time, the rotary cassette 32 remains at the horizontal feed position (B5 position), and the feed position conversion by rotation is not performed. That is, the rotation is required.

When the copy button 41 is turned on in this state, it is determined that the B5R paper has been selected, and the second rotary cassette unit 27
Rotate the rotating cassette 32 of to the vertical feed position (B5R position). After that, paper feeding is started and a copying operation is performed.

In the above operation, the rotary cassette 32 is waiting,
If you set it so that it faces the direction of high frequency of use, and when that rotary cassette 32 is selected, first set the paper size lamp that corresponds to the feed position of the rotary cassette 32 at that time to ON. It is possible to select a frequently used paper sheet with a small number of selections.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes including a rotatable cassette that can be rotated between a vertical feed position for vertically feeding a sheet and a horizontal feed position for horizontally feeding the sheet. While being rotated by the motor,
The image forming operation is started by operating the image forming operation start key, and at the same time, the cassette display means for displaying the selected cassette, and the size and the feeding direction of the sheets accommodated in the selected cassette are displayed. In order to input a cassette switching command in an image forming apparatus in which a paper display unit for displaying a vertical feed sheet and a paper display unit for a horizontal feed sheet correspond to each other in the rotary cassette. Cassette switching key, storage means for storing the paper feed direction displayed on the paper display means, vertical feed position sensor for detecting that the rotary cassette is at the vertical feed position, and rotary cassette at the horizontal feed position. And a transverse feed position sensor for detecting the, and cassette display means corresponding to each cassette when the cassette switching key is operated, Sequentially switched by operating the paper display means and is stored in the feed direction of the storage means of the paper indicated by the paper display means selected by this switching operation,
When the rotary cassette is selected by the cassette switching key and the image forming operation start key is operated, the feed position of the rotary cassette corresponding to the paper feed direction stored in the storage means and the vertical feed position sensor or When the feed position of the rotary cassette detected by the lateral feed position sensor is different, the control unit controls the cassette rotation motor so that these feed positions match.

Therefore, it is possible to select the cassette and the paper feeding direction with one cassette switching key. Therefore, the number of required operation keys can be reduced, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the microcomputer. FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a copying machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second rotary cassette unit shown in FIG. 2 is pulled out. FIG. 4 (a) is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the first and second rotary cassette units shown in FIG. FIG. 4 (b) is an enlarged perspective view around the nut member shown in FIG. 4 (a). FIG. 5 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a cassette mounting portion of the copying machine main body and desk portion and a pressing protrusion of each fixed cassette. FIG. 6 (a) is a front view showing the operation panel. FIG. 6 (b) is a front view showing the cassette operating portion provided on the operation panel. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a rotating process of the rotary cassette. 1 is a copying machine main body, 25 is a third fixed cassette, 26 is a first rotary cassette unit, 27 is a second rotary cassette unit, 28
Is a second fixed cassette, 29 is a first fixed cassette, 30 is a manual feeding unit, 32 is a rotary cassette, 36 is a cassette rotation motor, 51 is a microcomputer (control means, storage means), 41 is a copy button (image forming operation) (Start key), 47
Is a cassette switching key, CSL _{1 to} CSL ₆ is a cassette select lamp (cassette display means), PSL _{1 to} PSL ₇ is a paper size lamp (paper cover means), HP ₁ is a horizontal feed position sensor, HP ₂
Is a vertical feed position sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of cassettes including a rotatable cassette that can be rotated between a vertical feed position for vertically feeding a sheet and a horizontal feed position for horizontally feeding the sheet, the rotary cassette being rotated by a cassette rotation motor, and an image The image forming operation is started by operating the forming operation start key, and the cassette display means for displaying the selected cassette, and the size and the feeding direction of the sheets accommodated in the selected cassette are displayed. For inputting a cassette switching command in an image forming apparatus in which a paper display means for displaying the vertical feed paper and a paper display means for the horizontal feed paper correspond to each other in the rotary cassette. The cassette switching key, storage means for storing the paper feed direction displayed on the paper display means, and the rotary cassette at the vertical feed position. The vertical feed position sensor that detects the rotation, the horizontal feed position sensor that detects that the rotating cassette is at the horizontal feed position, and the cassette display and paper display that correspond to each cassette when the cassette switching key is operated. The paper feed direction indicated by the paper display means selected by this switching operation is stored in the storage means, the rotary cassette is selected by the cassette switching key, and the image forming operation start key is operated. When the feed position of the rotary cassette corresponding to the paper feed direction stored in the storage means and the feed position of the rotary cassette detected by the vertical feed position sensor or the horizontal feed position sensor are different, An image characterized by comprising: control means for controlling the cassette rotation motor so that both feed positions coincide with each other. Forming equipment.